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MP Report: Affordable housing motion voted down

We are standing up for Canadians calling for a major initiative for decent, affordable housing. When Parliament resumed sitting, I made it clear that housing is a top priority for our region and for many Canadians across the country.
niki ashton

We are standing up for Canadians calling for a major initiative for decent, affordable housing.

When Parliament resumed sitting, I made it clear that housing is a top priority for our region and for many Canadians across the country.

I was pleased to join with our caucus to announce an initiative that would lead to 500,000 new housing units.

We also have to deal with the appalling condition of many existing houses. I have spoken out in question period about the mould crisis in housing. The fact is that, in our region, there are many homes, particularly in First Nations communities, where people are living with toxic mould. That is a health hazard.

I challenged the Prime Minister to acknowledge that, if anything, the crisis is getting worse. There are more and more people on the waiting list for decent, affordable housing. There are more and more people living in units that are overcrowded and mould contaminated.

What has the response been from the federal government?

They voted against a plan that aimed to bring immediate relief to Canadians. Our NDP caucus called on the Liberal government to adequately address Canada’s housing crisis by immediately investing funds needed.

Instead, they continue to give billions in corporate tax giveaways.

We believe it is possible to bring relief to  Canadians and start building new affordable housing units in this year’s budget. The Liberal government calls the housing situation a crisis; but when it’s time for them to act, they don’t.

Our motion called on the government to act with urgency and create 500,000 units of quality, affordable housing within 10 years, and commit in Budget 2019 to completing 250,000 of those units within five years.

If we take bold action, we can turn things around.

It is time for action on the mould crisis.

It is time for action on the housing crisis.

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